There are people alive today in the US who remember when women were not allowed to vote. It was only in 1920, with the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment to the US Constitution, that all women were given the legal right to vote in this country. It is only within the lifetime of many alive today that marriage between an African American person and a white person has been legal in the United States. It was a Supreme Court decision in 1967 that ensured this right for all Americans. Twenty years ago, most people weren’t even thinking about marriage between two people of the same gender.
In the lifetimes of many people alive today, women seldom worked outside the home. And children were often employed as youngsters of 10 or 12 years old in factories and industry. It wasn’t until 1938 that there was a federal restriction on the use of child labor. There was very little nudity or graphic sex in movies beyond a passionate kiss and the people were routinely shown smoking cigarettes just within my lifetime. There have been many cultural shifts and changes within the lifetimes of people alive today, and with the advent of information technology, the pace of change is getting faster and faster.
Jesus was one who believed in the possibility of transformation: Transformation of people’s lives, attitudes, and social constructs, as well as organizations and institutions. His teaching shows his belief in change. He told stories about the way things could be with the conviction that it would come to pass. People could be just and fair and compassionate and forgiving. He was sure of it.
Our faith tradition is rooted in the conviction that change can happen. And, more particularly, that positive change is possible. No one is beyond hope. “With God, all things are possible.”
In recent days we have been challenged once again to reflect on the culture of violence in our country. Our Christian faith tells us that there can be change. Transformation can happen. The level of violence can be reduced in our country. We can work to create a culture that is less violent. We have made many other changes, massive changes, over the course of time. We can make this change, too. In fact, we must make this change and the church of Jesus Christ should be leading the way.
Prayer: The glad tidings of great joy to ALL people that we celebrate this season are tidings of peace for all people. May we work for peace – day in and day out – trusting that over the course of time, there will be change. God is always faithful. May we be steadfast in our commitment to convert our culture from its addiction to violence to the freedom of peace. Amen.
Lakewood United Church of Christ 